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At St. Joseph Hospital, we are proud to serve the healthcare and medical needs of people throughout Orange, California and the surrounding areas. Find out about our centers of excellence by clicking the option above, or search through all of our services by choosing the letter or search to the left.
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Screening Programs

The St. Joseph Hospital Heart and Vascular Center is dedicated to helping you receive the medical care necessary to achieve a healthy lifestyle. Through our comprehensive cardiovascular assessment, you can have potential health risks identified and evaluated in a personal, caring environment. Prior to your scheduled appointment, please complete the following forms and bring them with you to your appointment:

Recent findings have prompted the American Heart Association and leading researchers to recommend coronary calcium screening as a predictive tool for cardiovascular disease, since ruptured plaque causes 90 percent of all heart attacks. The EBCT Coronary Calcium Screening identifies the location and extent of calcified plaque in the coronary arteries of at-risk individuals. This 90-minute assessment is painless, and radiation exposure is minimal. No special preparation, injection or sedation is required.

Persons with moderate risk for heart disease stand to gain the most from this screening. Men and women over age 35 who have even one of the following risk factors are urged to be screened:

Blood Draw $25
Through our Comprehensive Heart Risk Assessment and Vascular Screening Programs you can opt to have a blood draw for the following test if desired. Listed below is a brief description of each test that is included in the blood draw. The screening nurse will call you with your results in 24-48 hours. Please inform your nurse if you would like this test done instead of the finger stick screening for the lipid profile test.

HMCY (Homocysteine) - This compound is a marker for atherosclerosis (fatty deposits in the lining of the arteries, which may lead to coronary heart disease and stroke). Excess HMCY produces thickening and scarring within artery tissues. If you have high LDL cholesterol and add high HMCY to the mix, atherosclerosis is more likely. If the HMCY presents with an elevated level of HMCY it may act as an independent risk factor for ischemic heart disease, peripheral arterial disease and venous thrombosis

CRPUQ (C-Reactive Protein) - Usually called a CRP test, the C-Reactive Protein test measures inflammation in the body. CRP is being evaluated for use as a marker of cardiovascular risk. C-Reactive Protein is a nonspecific, acute-phase reactant used to diagnose bacterial infectious disease and inflammatory disorders.

GLU (GLUCOSE) - The glucose test measures the body’s ability to metabolize glucose. Glucose is the sugar that the body uses for energy. Patients with untreated diabetes have high blood glucose levels. The glucose test is one of the tools used to make the diagnosis of diabetes.

LPP (Lipoproteins) - Lipoproteins are considered to be an accurate predictor of coronary heart disease. As part of the “Lipid Profile” these tests are performed to indicate persons at risk for developing heart disease and to monitor therapy if abnormalities are found. The “Lipid Profile” usually includes total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL and VLDL.

Atrial Fibrillation Risk Assessment $30Atrial fibrillation (a type of arrhythmia) causes a disruption in the normal function of the electrical conduction system of the heart. The heart's two small upper chambers (the atria) quiver instead of beating effectively. Blood isn't pumped completely out of them, so it may pool and clot. This condition increases the risk of a stroke. Atrial fibrillation screening includes:

12-lead electrocardiogram

One-minute rhythm strip

Review of risk factors

20-minute consultation with a cardiac nurse

Sudden Cardiac Arrest $95
Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) claims the lives of over 450,000 Americans each year and is the number one killer in the United States. SCA can result in the death of individuals who may or may not know of pre-existing heart conditions.

SCA often occurs in active, seemingly healthy people with no known heart disease or other health problems. However, most victims already have heart disease or other health problems of which they are completely unaware. Fortunately, lives can be saved with early detection.

A comprehensive cardiac screening, including both an Electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG) and an Echocardiogram (ECHO), can alert you to risks associated with certain serious cardiac diseases. These two screenings are generally considered to be the most effective screenings available and may help uncover serious heart conditions that potentially can lead to SCA.

Vascular Screenings
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a serious health risk factor leading to stroke, heart attack and sudden death. Unfortunately, most people are not aware they are at risk until it’s too late. The St. Joseph Hospital Heart and Vascular Center offers the following PAD screenings. The cost is $95 and includes all three screenings.

Stroke / Carotid Artery Screening - A noninvasive test to look for plaques that can cause a stroke. The carotid artery is in your neck and is one of the main arteries that supplies blood to your brain. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in this country. More than half of all strokes in older Americans are due to carotid artery disease and there are proven treatments to reduce strokes in those cases.

Abdominal Aortic Screening - A noninvasive test to look for an aneurysm. The abdominal aorta is the large artery that carries blood to the lower half of your body. An aneurysm is a weakened area of your aorta that has distended and could potentially rupture. This is the tenth leading cause of death in men over 50 in this country, but most people don’t know they have an aneurysm. An aneurysm can be permanently cured when it is diagnosed early, but rupture is fatal in most cases.

Peripheral Arterial Disease Screening - Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI): a test to look for peripheral arterial disease (PAD). This is a measurement of blood flow at the ankle level to check for any blockages that may have developed in the arteries of your legs. PAD affects the health of millions of older Americans, at least a quarter of those over 70. People with PAD have a much higher risk of stroke and heart attack, but these risks can be reduced if PAD is diagnosed early.